Happy Monday and happy 10×10! :)
In case you missed Friday’s post, here’s what’s going on. For the next two weeks, I’m joining forces with my blogging pal Lee of Style Bee, and we’re hosting a remix challenge: 10 pieces of clothing, 10 outfits, 10 days.
Each post, I’ll chat about my first impressions of the outfit and then give some styling notes. Ready? Let’s jump right in!
First Impressions
We’re starting off on a straightforward look, but I like it because it’s comfortable and easy to wear. This dress doesn’t wrinkle and it’s just as easy to wear curled up on the couch as it is out for drinks. Which works out well, because I’ll be doing a little of both today. :)
You know what’s cool? This dress is essentially the opposite of my boho dress, yet they both live in my closet happily. Some days I wake up and want a crazy-busy-colorful-fun look. Some days I wake up and want a tailored-striped-black-and-white look. And that’s okay. We’re multifaceted humans, so it only makes sense that our closets reflect that. A closet (or a capsule) doesn’t have to be perfectly curated or all one style to work. Kind of puts you at ease, right? :)
Let’s chat why this outfit works for me today:
- WEATHER: It’s nice and mild in the 60’s and 70’s today, so I’ll be comfortable in this short sleeve dress, cardi, and booties combo. And if I get too warm, I can always shed the cardigan. We’ve also got a chance of rain later today, so I’m wearing my booties to keep my feet dry — they can get wet and keep going like it’s no big deal.
- ACTIVITIES: Today is a typical day for me: gym time, working from home, and maybe a few errands. Then later tonight, Aaron and I are going out to dinner, so this look should carry me through the whole day.
Styling Notes
NEUTRAL (BUT REPETITIVE) PALETTE | I’ve got black, cognac, and oatmeal going on — but if you’ll notice, almost every color repeats somewhere in the outfit. Cognac: boots and bag. Oatmeal: cardigan and stripes. Black: dress and … well, I said almost every color repeats. :) Repeating colors like that is a quick way to make an outfit look complete.
NO ACCESSORIES | I’ve all but hopped off the accessories train — I’m sure this surprises no one. :) When working with limited pieces, it can be easy to over accessorize to try and compensate, but it’s not really necessary — unless that’s your style and in that case, more power to you.
MATCHING BAG + SHOES | You know me. I love my matching bag and shoes for some reason. I don’t treat it like a rule, but when I’m working with minimal pieces, it helps pull a look together. It’s like bookends for an outfit.
SHORT DRESS, LONG CARDIGAN | Even though I’ve worn this dress on it’s own many times, I like that the cardigan adds a little extra length to the dress. Try it if you’ve got a dress that’s a little too short on it’s own, or if you just want to add a little more length on a particular day.
• • •
And there you have it!
Make sure to hop on over to Lee’s blog to see her outfit today, too!
Are you taking part in the remix? Here’s your assignment for today: Snap a photo of your first outfit and post it on IG with the tag #spring10x10 so we can all follow along. For me, it’s almost less about the challenge and more about the community around the challenge. We truly love experiencing this with you guys, so share away!
See you tomorrow for outfit two!
xo,
Photo Credit: Katie Jameson
Liked today’s outfit? You can shop it and support Unfancy at the same time by using these affiliate links:
01 | Cardigan by Cuyana (made responsibly) | similar | similar (under $25)
02 | Sheath dress (old by Madwell) | similar | similar (on sale) | similar (under $40)
03 | Bag gifted by ONA | similar (made responsibly) | similar (under $65) | similar (under $49)
04 | Ankle booties (old by Sam Edelman) | similar | similar (made responsibly)
I love this look!! I’d totally wear this one :)
-Kirsten // http://www.porkandcookies.com
Today in the morning (I’m from Germany) I looked at your 10×10-Challenge-Wardrobe and thought that the dress will look very well with the cardigan. And now.. you posted exactly this outfit. I can’t believe it!
I love your blog and I’m looking forward to your next outfits.
Kind regards, Nicole
Good eye, Nicole! :)
Can’t wait to see the rest of your 10×10 with Lee!
http://www.madsmuses.com
No wonder you love this look! It is indeed comfortable and easy to wear :) Spring is in general the time of stripes for me!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
Rena, stripes are one of the few patterns I can get behind! :)
I love this look and especially adore that cardigan! I have been looking for something like that and am tempted to order one as it is so classic you can wear it forever. My only worry is that it might be too small as it only comes in two sizes and I am a 12/14 in tops. I hate when a cardigan doesn’t wrap around enough in the front :(
Hey Amy, would you consider the similar one I linked to? That comes in a lot more sizes… Just a thought! :)
I’m trying the challenge this week because we’re moving! I hope it will keep things very simple!
Michelle, what a great idea! Sounds like the perfect time to try it out. :)
Morning- I have to make myself get some work done then look at blogs and your’s is often the first one I review. Working from home it is easy to be in “lounge” clothes and really knock out the work. However, when I look at your posts I steal 5 minutes to go closet hunt and to be more put together…even if it’s just for us. I have simple, vintage accessories I wear almost every day that go right along with your comfort and put together looks. Thanks for day 1-Laurel Bledsoe
Trust me, Laurel! I definitely understand the lounge wear part of the day! :)
Ha, well this is funny – I’m wearing a very similar outfit today for my first day of the 10×10 remix! Mine is a bit darker and less Spring-y because I live in Northern Ireland and it’s definitely not bare legs weather here yet. Love the colour of the cardi you paired with this dress. And that last photo of you is fab!
If you are curious about my version, Ive shared it on my Instagram @seasaltstitches
Thanks, Suzie! :) Your look is cute too. Love that pop of red. Great minds think alike!
Love this! So excited to see what you come up with!
Love this color palette! All the neutral tones balance each other perfectly. I, too also love adding a long cardigan over a dress for extra coverage :)
http://www.insearchofsheila.com
I love this outfit Caroline but I really love these photos of you! Especially that last photo. You just look so happy and natural.
Oh thank you so much Whitney! :)
That’s a great look, Caroline! The cardigan looks comfy yet polished :)
I posted my day 1 outfit to Instagram and also talk about how I found an inexpensive way to explore the cropped, wide legged, silhouette that Lee rocks with her Kamm pants here:
http://sustainablefashionchat.com/discussion/9/my-sorta-kinda-kamm-pants-dupe
Well done, Karen! These look great!
Great job, Karen! Such a creative way to get a modern look. :)
Fun challenge! Love this dress and cant wait for the other outfits! <3
MISS LUCIA | Fashion & Lifestyle
I love your style. I also love how you just validated my lack of enthusiasm over accessories. I feel too ‘made up’ sometimes with them.
Cindy, totally there with you. I wear them less and less — and I’m ok with it. :)
This is totally my style. I tried a few pieces by Cuyana when they were new and couldn’t get fit right. I’m short and I see they have petite now, so I may try again when I’m ready to splurge on investment pieces (I’m enormously pregnant, so I’m limiting myself to mostly resale for my transitioning body for the next 6 months to a year).
Love the cardi, and I’ve been thinking about trying the Alpaca sweater again (I swam in the non-petite version, but it’s so appealing that I’ve not stopped coveting it…)
Rebecca, I hope the petite pieces work out for you! They are really just such beautiful pieces. :)
Love the look! I’ve started my #spring10x10 too and not as excited with my looks because it’s still too cold for me to pull out any dresses. I’m kind of a weanie in cold weather! Lol.
Shelbi | Urban Girl’s Closet
Haha, Shelbi! Nothing wrong with that. Throw in some outerwear that doesn’t count toward your 10 pieces (I won’t tell!) :)
Had big plans to join in on this but was out of town this weekend and got sick yesterday. :/ Haphazardly threw some ideas together this morning before work, so we’ll see if I can participate fully or if I have to save it for another time. Was so excited about it!
http://www.wonderlandsam.com
Hey Sam, hope you’ll get to it either now or next time. It’s never too late, and it doesn’t have to be perfect. Sorry you’re feeling sick. :(
This is gorgeous – classy but not overdressed. I love it.
How fun! I had wanted to join in of the 10×10 back in the winter but with our temps being stuck at -40 to -50(without wind-chill!) for weeks, I was pretty wimpy and wearing more than ten items each day! It is such a fun challenge and I was am excited to see what you and other come up with so I did decided to join you all this time around. (I am a little more bohemian in my wardrobe which seems like it is sometimes not represented in the capsule wardrobe community but you’ve had so many cute, bohemian-ish items that I realized it could be done.) Thank you for such a fun challenge and I look forward to each day, it’s always wonderful to see what a positive community this is. :)
Hey Katie, yes! I agree the community is wonderful! Can’t wait to see your cute boho looks. :)
I love that dress on you Caroline!
Thank you so much, Ashley!
This striped dress is so lovely!
http://ariadibari.com
It’s just getting warm here on the east coast of Canada and I cannot wait to rock an outfit like this! You look so beautiful! …yet casual!
http://www.katelately.co
Love that cardigan, you’re so beautiful <3
https://www.myblackcloset.com/
I love this background!